Canadian Judicial Council announces dates of public hearings regarding the Honourable Michel Girouard

Ottawa, 16 November 2016 –The new Inquiry Committee constituted to review the conduct of Justice Michel Girouard will proceed with public hearings January 30 to February 3, 2017 and again from February 20, 2017 to February 24, 2017 as needed. The hearing on January 30, 2017 will commence at 9:30 am.

The hearings will be held in Quebec City at the Québec courthouse, 300 Jean-Lesage Blvd. The Room number will be confirmed once known. While members of the public are invited to attend, space is limited.

The Inquiry Committee is comprised of the following members: the Honourable Ernest Drapeau, Chief Justice of New Brunswick (Chair); the Honourable Glenn Joyal, Chief Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Manitoba; the Honourable Marianne Rivoalen, Associate Chief Justice, Family Division, Court of Queen’s Bench of Manitoba; Mr Bernard Synnott Ad.E., Partner with Fasken Martineau and Ms Paule Veilleux, Partner with Langlois lawyers.

In accordance with Council’s Inquiries and Investigations By-laws (2015), the Inquiry Committee has engaged legal counsel to provide advice and to assist in the conduct of the inquiry. Me Marc-Andre Gravel of the firm Gravel Bernier Vaillancourt, Avocats and and Me Emmanuelle Rolland of the firm Audren Rolland L.L.P. have been retained for these purposes.

Additional documents, including the Notice of Allegations, will be made available prior to the commencement of these hearings and published on the Council website.

Any questions regarding media access during the hearings may be directed to the Council office.

Information about the Council, including the process for public inquiries, can be found on the Council's website at www.cjc-ccm.gc.ca.